View report page

There was some resistence by owners to compliances with the notices, due to the
high cost of the necessary works. At the end of the year a number of prosecutions
were pending.
Housing Act, 1961 - Section 16. Means of escape in case of fire in houses in
multiple occupation
The provision relating to means of escape in case of fire in houses let in
lodgings or occupied by more than one family, were dealt with as a housing function of
the Department.
The three fire inspectors formulated requirements in accordance with the Code of
Practice agreed between the Greater London Council and the Inner London Boroughs. This
made it unnecessary to obtain the consent of the Greater London Council to individual
notices. Requirements were notified to the person in control of the house, and if not
met, formal notices were served. During the year 503 visits and 1,485 revisits were
made, resulting in the service of 357 informal and 154 formal notices.
In addition, 79 follow up visits were made to premises to check whether similar
works required by Greater London Council under Section 35, London Building Acts
(Amendment) Act, 1939 were being maintained.
The importance of this work was emphasised by the number of fatalities and
injuries caused by fires in premises of this type in the Borough. By arrangement with
the London Fire Brigade the inspectors were notified of such fires and carried out
investigations, which showed that the Borough's standard requirements would have
reduced in many cases the damage which occurred, and would almost certainly have
reduced, even eliminated, the consequent deaths and injuries.
The aim in each case was to provide a satisfactory escape route or routes. This
could be by (i) a staircase properly protected from fire and smoke; (ii) access to the
roof and escape from that roof through an adjoining building; (iii) an opening giving
access to roof of a rear or side addition contiguous with a similar addition adjoining;
(iv) gangway or balcony from window or door to an adjoining building; (v) an external
staircase. The first of these methods was the one more frequently adopted; the second,
third and fourth required the consent of adjoining owners. An advantage of the
internal protected staircase was that, by the treatment of doors and the provision of
check lobbies, a degree of protection was given which assisted in containing a fire,
in addition to safeguarding means of escape. The time taken to carry out these works
varied from two weeks to several months.
It was estimated that there were 25,000 premises requiring the provision of
means of escape, within the Borough.
43